Abstract: A position control system includes a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and a pivotable member having a first member end rotatable about a first pivot axis and a second member end coupled to the roller. The second member end is rotatable about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis and the first and second pivot axes are movable relative to one another. A motor is adapted to move the roller along the longitudinal axis wherein movement of the roller along the longitudinal axis causes the pivotable member to pivot the roller relative to the longitudinal axis. A control system is responsive to a sensed parameter for controlling the motor. A position control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A position control system includes a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and a pivotable member having a first member end rotatable about a first pivot axis and a second member end coupled to the roller. The second member end is rotatable about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis and the first and second pivot axes are movable relative to one another. A motor is adapted to move the roller along the longitudinal axis wherein movement of the roller along the longitudinal axis causes the pivotable member to pivot the roller relative to the longitudinal axis. A control system is responsive to a sensed parameter for controlling the motor. A position control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink supply unit and a method of supplying ink to a printhead are disclosed. The ink supply unit includes a lower ink reservoir, an upper ink reservoir, and a flow regulation apparatus. The upper ink reservoir is coupled to the lower ink reservoir. First and second fluid input ports are disposed on opposite sides of the flow regulation apparatus. A first fluid line and a second fluid line couple the first and the second input ports, respectively, with the upper ink reservoir, and a third fluid line is adapted to couple the flow regulation apparatus with a printhead.

Abstract: An ink supply unit and a method of supplying ink to a printhead are disclosed. The ink supply unit includes a lower ink reservoir, an upper ink reservoir, and a flow regulation apparatus. The upper ink reservoir is coupled to the lower ink reservoir. First and second fluid input ports are disposed on opposite sides of the flow regulation apparatus. A first fluid line and a second fluid line couple the first and the second input ports, respectively, with the upper ink reservoir, and a third fluid line is adapted to couple the flow regulation apparatus with a printhead.

Abstract: An orthopaedic tool cluster clamp includes a pair of jaws held together and defining a distance therebetween, the jaws being movable relative to one another to adjust the distance; a connector holding the jaws together, with actuation of the connector adjusting the distance between the jaws; a cam base including a ramped portion statically associated with one of the jaws; and a cam lever pivotally connected to the connector about an axis of rotation and held against the cam base. The cam lever defines a profile such that rotating the cam lever along the ramped portion and pivoting the cam lever about the axis of rotation both cause actuation of the connector.

Abstract: A ratcheting strut comprising: (a) a ratchet box including a through passage; (b) a first tube sized to extend at least partially through the passage, the first tube including ratchet teeth that engage corresponding ratchet teeth of the ratchet box; (c) a second tube mounted to the ratchet box in parallel with the first tube, the second tube operatively coupled to a second fixation adapter; and (d) a threaded rod operatively coupled to a nut and a first fixation adapter, the threaded rod repositionably mounted to the first tube, where the nut is operatively coupled and repositionable with respect to the first tube.

Abstract: A polyaxial pivot housing for an external fixation system, comprising a first plate; a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate; a spherical member positioned between the first and second plates, the spherical member having a threaded post that is configured to attach to a support member of an external fixation frame; and a pivotably rotatable locking arm, the locking arm being configured to orientationally lock the threaded post with respect to the external fixation frame by compressing the first and second plates against the spherical member.

Abstract: A clamp ring includes a generally arced portion. The generally arced portion has a top half and a bottom half each having a guide channel formed therein, the top half and the bottom half each have an exterior portion and an interior portion defining boundaries of the guide channels. The interior portions together have a partially circular cross section with a number of interior reliefs formed therein and the exterior portions together have a partially circular cross section with a number of exterior reliefs formed therein that is greater than zero and equal to or greater than the number of interior reliefs formed in the interior portions.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for an external fixation system, comprising a clamp body having an opening for receiving a bone fixation member; a pivotably rotatable locking arm associated with the clamp body, the locking arm being configured to provisionally hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body; and a cam arm coupled to the locking arm, the cam arm being pivotably rotatable towards the clamp body to definitively hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body.

Abstract: A clamp ring includes a generally arced portion. The generally arced portion has a top half and a bottom half each having a guide channel formed therein, the top half and the bottom half each have an exterior portion and an interior portion defining boundaries of the guide channels. The interior portions together have a partially circular cross section with a number of interior reliefs formed therein and the exterior portions together have a partially circular cross section with a number of exterior reliefs formed therein that is greater than zero and equal to or greater than the number of interior reliefs formed in the interior portions.

Abstract: An orthopaedic tool cluster clamp includes a pair of jaws held together and defining a distance therebetween, the jaws being movable relative to one another to adjust the distance; a connector holding the jaws together, with actuation of the connector adjusting the distance between the jaws; a cam base including a ramped portion statically associated with one of the jaws; and a cam lever pivotally connected to the connector about an axis of rotation and held against the cam base. The cam lever defines a profile such that rotating the cam lever along the ramped portion and pivoting the cam lever about the axis of rotation both cause actuation of the connector.

Abstract: A targeting instrument system is provided and methods for positioning an internal fixation prosthesis, such as an intramedullary rod or nail, including a targeting guide device, an internal fixation prosthesis, and a detachable holding device. The holding device may include an exterior grip portion and a clamp portion defining an interior engaging surface for maintaining a locking alignment between the prosthesis and the targeting guide device during the placement of the internal fixation prosthesis into a subject. The holding device may be formed as a monolithic component including at least two flexible, spaced apart arms defining an elongated receiving channel extending from a proximal end configured to releasably engage the prosthesis and a distal end configured to releasably engage the targeting guide device. Alternatively, the holding device may include two pivotally coupled clamp bodies joined by a shaft rod.

Abstract: An external fixation system for reducing bone fragments, comprising: a substantially rigid frame member at least partially surrounding a fractured bone; a clamping assembly associated with the substantially rigid frame member, the clamping assembly having at least one opening for receiving a bone fixation member that is configured to penetrate the fractured bone; and a polyaxially adjustable pivot housing associated with the substantially rigid frame member, the polyaxially adjustable pivot housing being configured to cause the alignment of the bone fragments to be adjusted in response to a force exerted on the substantially rigid frame member.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for an external fixation system, comprising a clamp body having an opening for receiving a bone fixation member; a pivotably rotatable locking arm associated with the clamp body, the locking arm being configured to provisionally hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body; and a cam arm coupled to the locking arm, the cam arm being pivotably rotatable towards the clamp body to definitively hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body.

Abstract: A polyaxial pivot housing for an external fixation system, comprising a first plate; a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate; a spherical member positioned between the first and second plates, the spherical member having a threaded post that is configured to attach to a support member of an external fixation frame; and a pivotably rotatable locking arm, the locking arm being configured to orientationally lock the threaded post with respect to the external fixation frame by compressing the first and second plates against the spherical member.

Abstract: A targeting instrument system is provided and methods for positioning an internal fixation prosthesis, such as an intramedullary rod or nail, including a targeting guide device, an internal fixation prosthesis, and a detachable holding device. The holding device may include an exterior grip portion and a clamp portion defining an interior engaging surface for maintaining a locking alignment between the prosthesis and the targeting guide device during the placement of the internal fixation prosthesis into a subject. The holding device may be formed as a monolithic component including at least two flexible, spaced apart arms defining an elongated receiving channel extending from a proximal end configured to releasably engage the prosthesis and a distal end configured to releasably engage the targeting guide device. Alternatively, the holding device may include two pivotally coupled clamp bodies joined by a shaft rod.

Abstract: A telescopic surgical screw comprising: (a) a first screw section including a distal threaded section and a proximal section; (b) a second screw section including a proximal threaded section and a distal section; and, (c) a reconfigurable bushing configured to be received within at least one of the first screw section and the second screw section to limit travel of the first screw section with respect to the second screw section, where at least one of the first screw section and the second screw section includes an internal cavity sized to receive the reconfigurable bushing and where the first screw section is configured to be repositionable along a length of the second screw section to change an overall length of the surgical screw.

Abstract: A ratcheting strut comprising: (a) a ratchet box including a through passage; (b) a first tube sized to extend at least partially through the passage, the first tube including ratchet teeth that engage corresponding ratchet teeth of the ratchet box; (c) a second tube mounted to the ratchet box in parallel with the first tube, the second tube operatively coupled to a second fixation adapter; and (d) a threaded rod operatively coupled to a nut and a first fixation adapter, the threaded rod repositionably mounted to the first tube, where the nut is operatively coupled and repositionable with respect to the first tube.